Your Complete Publisher Specializing in Unabridged Works

I was asked recently what advice I would give a new writer. What would I tell an author who wants to bring their stories to publication? I thought it would be an easy question to answer. Of course, that was total B.S.

I bounced the question around inside my mind for some time. Thought about all the advice I had been given. Thought about what the goals were of different writers. Yes, goals. Goals are secretive things few share. Oh sure, an author will tell you they simply want to be published, but, in their hearts? In their hearts they see themselves on some television morning show gushing over winning the Pulitzer or Nobel or the Newberry? Well, you get the picture.

Or they see themselves selling millions of copies as their work is translated into a thousand languages and soon a movie offer is presented. This is not a bad thing. Not at all. Anyone who has written a story has visions of greatness. Whatever drives the writer to write is a great thing I feel.

Others truly only want to see their work for sale. To see someone else show them they liked their story. I don’t know. Each writer has their own reason for putting words to paper. For seeking out someone to publish their work or to do so themselves. And each one no matter how experienced or jaded wanted advice at some time even if they don’t want to admit it. Advice from someone like me. A grizzled, failed writer who’s turned to publishing to meet his own dreams of greatness.

So here is my advice in five words: Do Not Give Up – Ever.

Simple. Don’t stop for any reason. Never give up no matter how many times you submit your manuscript. How many times was J.K. Rowling rejected before some publisher took a chance on her? How many other times have famous writers been rejected out of hand?

How many billionaire bad boy stories have been written? How many westerns with the same theme? Who cares? Write your story. Let it out and when it comes time to share it with the world – do it! Find a good editor who will work with you and a publisher who believes in you. How many famous author’s first works are forgotten? Read them. Look at how much they changed. Stephen King’s Carrie is a perfect example. A simple story. A quick read. Almost a pulp book. Fast forward to The Stand. A monster book which keeps you on edge the entire time. Until the end of course. King’s endings began to fade but who cares. He is the master of building tension.

Let me repeat what I was saying. Do Not Give Up – Ever . And when you get a book deal, or a publishing agreement and it doesn’t work out? Again: Do Not Give Up – Ever . No matter what happens keep writing. Keep doing the leg work to get yourself read. To get someone to pay attention to you until you reach your goal, whatever secret goal you have.

My goal? Well, it’s not so secret. I will sell a million books. I will put a million copies of unabridged stories in the hands of readers who want to read them. Who want to read more. Simple, right? Well, not so simple I’ve found out. However, I follow my own advice: Do Not Give Up – Ever.

I’m Ross, Editor at the Pyrateheart Press and I’m out.